Master of Public Health (Global Health) *
Develop the knowledge and practical skills needed to understand and respond to major public health challenges in the UK and internationally.
* subject to validation
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- Director of studies
- Dr David Ishola
- Course type
- Master’s course
- Location
- Liverpool, UK
- Start date
- September 2027
- Mode of study
- Full time, on campus
- Duration
- One year
- Home fee
- TBC
- International fee
- TBC
Overview
Improving health means understanding more than disease. It means looking at the social, political, economic and environmental conditions that shape people’s lives, and how public health systems can respond.
Our Master of Public Health (Global Health) explores the major challenges affecting population health, from infectious diseases and health inequalities to environmental threats, humanitarian emergencies and access to healthcare.
You’ll examine how health and wellbeing are influenced by the circumstances in which people live, the policies that affect them and the services available to their communities. You’ll also consider how these challenges differ between countries and why effective public health responses need to reflect local priorities.
Through the programme, you’ll develop skills in areas such as epidemiology, research methods and social sciences. You’ll learn to analyse health needs, interpret data, evaluate evidence, and develop recommendations that can inform public health policy and practice.
Studying full-time in Liverpool, you’ll join people from different academic, cultural and professional backgrounds, bringing a range of experiences and perspectives to some of the world’s most pressing public health challenges.
Who is this course for?
Our MPH Global Health welcomes recent graduates and experienced professionals who want to deepen their understanding of public health and develop the skills to improve population health.
The programme is suitable for people from a wide range of disciplines, including:
- Medicine, nursing, midwifery and allied health professions.
- Public health and environmental health.
- Biological and biomedical sciences.
- Social sciences and international development.
- Engineering, communications and other relevant disciplines.
You might be preparing for a career in public health, looking to move into the field from another profession, or seeking to develop your existing expertise.
The programme is relevant to people working in a wide range of sectors, including government, healthcare, charities, community organisations, research, and policy.
You don’t need previous professional experience in public health to apply, provided you meet the relevant entry requirements.
“Improving health means understanding more than disease. It means looking at the social, political, economic and environmental conditions that shape people’s lives, and how public health systems can respond.”
Why study Public Health (Global Health) at LSTM?
What will I learn?
The programme brings together public health research, policy and practice to help you understand population health and the approaches used to improve it.
You’ll explore:
- Global health policy and programmes: Understand how public health policies and programmes are developed, and how decisions at local, national and international levels influence population health.
- Epidemiology and public health research: Learn how researchers investigate patterns of health and disease in populations. Develop skills in research methods, evidence appraisal and interpreting health data.
- Social and behavioural influences on health: Explore how people’s circumstances, behaviours, cultures and social environments shape health and influence approaches to improving it.
- Health systems: Examine how health systems are organised and can be improved, exploring the various aspects such as health services, financing, and governance.
- Health promotion and health inequalities: Understand how public health initiatives can support healthier populations and address differences in health outcomes between communities and countries. This includes considering how to address the underlying determinants of health and wellbeing, and to reduce risk factors for non-communicable conditions such as cardiovascular disease, cancer, and diabetes.
- Global health security, including control of infections and hazards: Explore how UK and international public health systems prepare for and respond to infectious disease threats, outbreaks and other emergencies, including the role of environmental public health.
- Public health project planning: Develop an understanding of how public health projects are planned, informed by evidence and adapted to the needs of communities and organisations.
The programme also proposes opportunities to develop consultancy-related skills, subject to confirmation of the final course arrangements.
Modules
Core modules:
- Public health policies, programmes and strategies
- Research methods in public health
Core module:
- Promoting health and improving health systems
Optional modules available. You will choose one option from a selection.
- Scientific and professional skills – consultancy project
- Student research project
You’ll study full-time, on campus in Liverpool, over one year.
The programme brings together public health research, policy and practice, with learning informed by the expertise of LSTM academics working in different global and UK settings, alongside the experience of practising frontline public health professionals and specialists.
You’ll develop knowledge and skills in a range of areas, including epidemiology, research methods, health systems and social sciences, while exploring public health challenges through an international perspective.
Further details about teaching activities, assessments, the programme structure and any independent research requirements will be confirmed for September 2027 entry.
By the end of the programme, you should be better equipped to:
- Analyse population health needs, major health threats and the factors contributing to inequalities.
- Apply epidemiological research and evaluation methods to investigate public health problems.
- Interpret health data and critically assess the strengths and limitations of research evidence.
- Evaluate how policies and health systems influence access to healthcare, quality and equity.
- Consider public health responses that reflect community priorities and available resources.
- Work with evidence and different perspectives to develop public health recommendations.
A Master of Public Health (Global Health) can support career development across public health and related sectors.
Depending on your existing qualifications and experience, the programme may be relevant to opportunities in:
- Public health agencies and health protection organisations.
- Government, local authorities and health policy.
- Healthcare services and health systems.
- International development and humanitarian organisations.
- Charities and community-based organisations.
- Public health research and education.
- Health promotion, programme planning and evaluation.
For established professionals, the programme may support progression towards leadership, service improvement and responsibilities involving public health policy and decision-making.
It can also provide a foundation for further research and postgraduate study, including a PhD, subject to relevant entry requirements.
Some professional roles and public health registration pathways require additional qualifications, training or experience.
Teaching and Learning
Our teaching is based on a variety of teaching methodologies, including classical lectures, class seminars, tutorial sessions with students individually or in groups and working in professional settings on consultancy projects. Our small classes, the availability of lecturers and the wider integration of the School’s research community provide a unique opportunity for you to focus on critical thinking and practical skills through challenging and fun learning.
Consultancy Project
As part of the Scientific and Professional Skills modules you may have an opportunity to take part in a consultancy learning project, where students work in groups to address real-world tasks as part of their assessment. These applied, team-based learning projects build professional skills while tackling the health challenges you learn about on your course. You will learn and be assessed on project and teamwork skills.
Academic Expertise
Academics on the course bring a wealth of multidisciplinary experience and expertise into the classroom, cutting across research, education and professional practice. They include:
- Professor Sally Theobald (applied global health research, training and partnership on gender, equity and health systems strengthening)
- Professor Rachel Tolhurst (equity, social determinants of health and health systems strengthening)
- Dr Justin Pulford (systems strengthening, programme evaluation, implementation research)
- Mr Imri Schattner-Ornan (humanitarian practitioner, ethicist, and researcher)
- Professor Duolao Wang (biostatistics, including the design, analysis, and reporting of clinical trials and observational studies)
- Dr Martyn Stewart (quantitative research methodologist, and educational development expert)
- Professor Joanna Raven (health systems and the health workforce)
- Mrs Terry Kana (nurse and midwife, and researcher in midwifery workforce development)
- Professor Eve Worrall (health economist, with expertise in the economics of malaria, tuberculosis and multimorbidity)
- Dr Ibrahim Bou Orm (physician, and researcher in health systems and policy in the contexts of conflicts and transition)
- Dr Ian Madison (political scientist, and researcher on the politics of public service delivery during periods of conflict or disaster)
- Dr David Ishola (public health physician, and researcher in preventive health interventions)
Student Research Project (MPH Dissertation)
Your student research project is a core module for all students. Your project may be influenced by your personal, professional interests, and could be a topic that relates to public health in a country of your interest.
Project ideas are either developed by students with academic support, or available from a list of research projects offered by our research staff. We offer a wide variety of types of research projects, including fieldwork, lab or deskwork, in the UK or internationally.
Entry requirements
Fees and funding
Home fee (September 2027)
TBC
International fee (September 2027)
TBC
Financial support for UK students
We have scholarships, bursaries, discounts and loans available, established through generous donations from alumni, staff and friends and funding from within Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine.
Financial support for international students
We offer various scholarships for international students, particularly those from low- and middle-income countries. These include full or partial funding through programs like the LSTM Global Health Impact Scholarship and the LSTM Humanitarian Scholarship.
External funding
Scholarships, fellowships and grants are available from a range of funders and organisations. Any scholarship, studentship, fellowship or grant can be used as an alternative to, or part-funding of, an LSTM scholarship.
How to apply
You can apply for a course at any time throughout the year using our online application portal, MyLSTM. You will need to register for an account the first time you use it, or if you’ve already created an account, you can pick up where you left off by logging in directly to MyLSTM.
By registering for a MyLSTM account, you will be able to:
- Apply for courses at LSTM.
- Upload supporting documentation.
- Save your draft application.
- Accept an offer to study.
- Keep your account information up-to-date.
If you can’t access our online application form, please get in touch. Paper application forms are available on request.
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